(519) 837-1228
HealthyBody
Wellness and the ability to achieve excellence begins with a healthy mind. Positive psychology and elimination of obstacles can clear the path for wellness and the ability to find flow.
Uncover Wellness
Contact us today, and begin your voyage to wellness!
Dr. Carla Edwards, MSc, MD, FRCPC
Synergy Sport + Mental Health
Active recovery facilitates positive momentum and growth on the path of health and wellness. There is no finish line!
HealthyMind
Synergy Sport + Mental Health is a mental health clinic that focuses on the assessment and treatment of mental health, wellness, and performance in competitive and elite athletes, performing artists, and other professionals who experience high levels of pressure. Athletes, performing artists and executives can experience symptoms of mental illness just as anyone else can- including depression, mania, anxiety, sleep problems, disordered eating, trauma, self harm, suicidal thoughts, substance use disorders, psychosis, and problems with anger management; as well as specific challenges such as recovery from injury or illness, return to sport/perfromance anxiety, post-concussion mental illness, and performance anxiety. Relationship difficulties and philosophical differences between athletes, coaches, directors, and parents can also create challenges that need to be addressed. Athletes, performing artists and executives may experience mental illnesses that are unrelated to their craft, or become unwell due to sport/perfromacne-related factors (e.g. pressure, stress, injury, concussion, performance, retirement).
The stigma of mental illness also extends to high level athletes, performing artists and executives. Many people believe that these individuals have fewer problems and struggles than everyone else. Stigma fuels the belief that mental health challenges mean that the individuals are “weak,” and they choose to suffer in silence, trying to “look tough.” Increasingly, high profile and professional athletes are coming forward to talk about their struggles with mental illness.
At the Synergy Sport + Mental Health clinic, the whole individual is considered in understanding their specific challenges. Their sport and performance history, identity as an athlete/artist/professional, and demands of their work are included in the comprehensive evaluation of their overall psychological state. Sport- and training-specific factors are of significant importance in understanding the struggles, and equally important in establishing a treatment plan.
Sports Psychiatry provides a medical approach to overall understanding of the individual performer, in addition to the psychological components that contribute to their challenges. This provides the opportunity for medical investigations and medication management if necessary. Medication is not always necessary for treatment, and there are numerous psychological approaches to the management of mental health challenges. Psychologically-based approaches to performance enhancement may also be utilized if desired.
Dr. Carla Edwards is a sports psychiatrist who has been practicing sports and performance psychiatry since 2012. Current practice locations include Synergy Sport + Mental Health (Guelph, ON), the Toronto Rock Sports Medicine and Wellness Centre (located at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, ON), and online platforms. The target population of the clinic includes competitive athletes in the community, as well as varsity, elite, and professional athletes, performing artists, lawyers, and executives.
Services provided by Dr. Edwards are covered by the Provincial Health Insurance Plans (for Canadian residents) or through private payment for international patients located in Canada or those without provincial health insurance. Uninsured services (such as completion of forms) may require separate payment. Referral from a physician and a valid provincial card are required to access services (for Canadian citizens). Non-medical services are outlined in "Expert Services" and "Speakers Bureau" tabs.
Optimize your performance with a healthy mind, body & soul
HealthySoul
Begin the journey to a new level of mental health and performance
There is no health without mental health. Individuals spend most of their time physically practicing and performing their craft without adequate attention to the mental aspects of preparation and performance. Dr. Edwards brings tens of thousands of hours of experience with athletes, sports organizations and environments to provide unparalleled expertise in athlete mental health. With her extensive experience in all sports and levels, you will experience a comprehensive service that understands your individual challenges and incorporate the significance of your sport in your assessment and treatment plan. Sport- or performing arts-specific performance enhancement strategies are also employed.
202-511 Edinburgh Road South
Guelph, ON N1G 4S5
With your mind and body aligned, you will experience new dimensions of clarity, inspiration, passion, and drive which will unlock optimal potential for success and achievement.
Online or in person (Guelph or Oakville)